​ ​The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 6) called on women in Hong Kong to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by adopting a healthy lifestyle and undergoing risk-based screenings to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer early.
      
     "The Government attaches great importance to cancer prevention and control work, including the development of a breast cancer risk assessment tool specifically designed for use by local Chinese women and the launch of risk-based breast cancer screening programmes. Currently, the vast majority of breast cancer cases identified through government-subsidised screening programmes are in the early stages. Thanks to technological advancements and continuous improvements in treatment techniques, the cure rate for breast cancer continues to rise. Data shows that, over the past 10 years, Hong Kong’s overall five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer patients has reached 84 per cent. The five-year relative survival rates for stages I and II are as high as 99.3 per cent and 94.6 per cent respectively, ranking among the world’s highest. These demonstrate that risk-based breast cancer screening enables the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, thereby improving patients’ chances of recovery," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
 
     Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females and the third leading cause of cancer deaths among females in Hong Kong. In 2023, there were 5 585 newly diagnosed invasive female breast cancer cases, accounting for 28.9 per cent of all new cancer cases among women in Hong Kong. In 2024, the disease led to 848 deaths among women, accounting for 13.1 per cent of female cancer deaths.
 
Women at high risk
------------------------
 
     Phase II of the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme (BCSPP) was launched in June, 2025, to provide subsidised breast cancer screening services to female Hong Kong residents aged 35 to 74 who are at high risk of developing breast cancer. Eligible persons, including women with gene mutations or with a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, can receive a government subsidy for annual mammography (MMG) screening. For Phase II of the BCSPP, the DH collaborates with three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through public-private partnership programmes. Eligible women may contact any one of the three NGOs' designated clinics to make an appointment for assessment. Currently, all service providers do not charge service users any co-payment fee. As at the end of June, 2026, around 1 360 women at high risk have undergone MMG screening. More than 70 were referred to specialists for follow-up due to abnormal screening results. Among those referred, 17 were diagnosed with breast cancer, all of which belonged to stage I or earlier. The Government will evaluate the effectiveness of the BCSPP in a timely manner and review the future development of breast cancer screening.

Women at average risk and moderate risk
--------------------------------------------------
 
     Furthermore, the district health network of the Primary Healthcare Commission under the Health Bureau, including the three Women Wellness Satellites (WWS) located on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories respectively, has commenced operations in phases since June, 2025. It forms a network with the District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses (DHCs) across all 18 districts in Hong Kong to provide eligible women with prevention-oriented and more personalised women's health services, which include breast cancer risk assessment and screening. As of the end of June, 2026, the WWS have recorded a cumulative total of more than 33 600 attendances.
 
      Starting from October 5, 2026, the services of the Elderly Health Centres under the DH have been gradually integrated into the district health network. Following the service integration, WWS have also extended services to female members aged 65 or above. Breast cancer screenings will be arranged for women, based on their health risk assessments, to facilitate early intervention and referrals to family doctors or appropriate institutions as needed to address the health needs of women across different age groups. 
      
      Those who wish to use the services provided by the DHCs have to register as members of the DHCs and give consent to enrol in the eHealth application. The DHCs will arrange health risk assessments and family doctor pairings, and arrange for users to receive services at the WWS as needed. To address the preventive and screening needs of underprivileged groups, the DHCs are in parallel arranging for women who are Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients or holders of a valid Certificate for Waiver of Medical Charges to receive preventive care and health promotion services for women at selected Family Medicine Clinics under the Hospital Authority.
　　 
Protecting breast health
-----------------------------

     Dr Tsui reminded the public that screening serves as a secondary prevention tool. To reduce the risk of cancer, primary prevention (i.e. minimising exposure to cancer risk factors) is of paramount importance. October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the importance of breast cancer screenings and promote healthy lifestyle habits in order to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. The DH has consistently responded with full commitment, continuously encouraging the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including avoiding tobacco and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. The DH also promotes breast awareness and breastfeeding as ways to prevent breast cancer. 

     The symptoms of breast cancer are often subtle at the early stage. Women should familiarise themselves with the normal look and feel of their breasts. If any abnormal changes are noticed, such as lumps in the breast or armpit; dimpling or "orange-skin" appearance or changes in size or shape of the breast; or a rash around, in-drawing of, abnormal discharge or bleeding from the nipple, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
 
     To help local Chinese women better understand their personal risk, the Government has commissioned the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong to conduct the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Study, and developed the online Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool for women aged 44 to 69. The tool has been validated for the Hong Kong Chinese female population. The process is simple and quick, taking only about three minutes. Users need only to enter personal factors such as age, age at first childbirth, height and weight to understand their personal risk and receive corresponding prevention and screening recommendations.
 
     Dr Tsui appealed to eligible women in Hong Kong to use the online Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool as soon as possible to understand their personal risk. He reminded women with increased risk of developing breast cancer due to personal risk factors to consult family doctors promptly to learn about risk-based screening. For more information, please visit the WWS website or the BCSPP website. Members of the public may also refer to the latest issue of Non-Communicable Diseases Watch published in September for more information about the breast cancer situation in Hong Kong.

Ends/Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:45

NNNN